1. Perform 2 or 3 memorized works selected from contrasting historical style periods — Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th-Century. B.M. in Performance applicants must perform 3 works.
• Students auditioning for Music Therapy can perform two pieces, one may be a jazz/contemporary/popular piece.
2. Scales/arpeggios (two octaves hands together) may be requested.
3. Sight-reading

For questions concerning repertoire selection or piano audition requirements, contact Dr. Jacob Ertl, jertl2@naz.edu.

1. One work by J.S. Bach or another Baroque composer
2. One primarily virtuosic piece by either a romantic or contemporary period composer
3. One primarily lyrical piece by a romantic or contemporary composer
4. Scales/arpeggios (two octaves hands together) may be requested
5. Sight-reading

The entrance audition demonstrates your ability to sing in tune with good quality, correct rhythm, and musical intelligence.

• Audition repertoire for all degree programs must include at least two languages and contrasting historical styles.
• All selections must be memorized.
• Generally, Musical theater, jazz, or pop styles are not acceptable with the exception of Music Therapy (one of the three pieces may be jazz/musical theatre/or contemporary). 
• Students auditioning for the Bachelor of Music in music education, music composition, music therapy, music business, music theory, music history, and Bachelor of Arts music degree  must present three pieces selected from the standard classical vocal repertoire suitable to your age and ability. Students auditioning for the Bachelor of Music in music performance must present four pieces.
• You'll be asked to sight read.
• An accompanist will be provided for you. If you wish to bring your own accompanist, please let us know.

1. Chromatic Scale and two major scales (multiple octaves) demonstrating the practical range of the instrument using a variety of slurring and tonguing techniques.
2. Two solo pieces or movements of contrast in tempi are required. These may come from a sonata or concerto, or etude.

1. Scales in two or three octaves (Segovia) played with two or more of the following combinations: i m i m/ i a i a/ m a m a/ a m i/ i m a m
2. Studies by Carcassi, Sor, Giuliani, Brouwer, et cetera
3. Two pieces representing contrasting styles, such as works by Milan, Sor, Tarrega, Villa-Lobos, or Brouwer
• Students auditioning for Music Therapy: One of the two pieces may be in a jazz, pop, or rock style and can be something you've composed. The piece may be performed on an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. You have the option of demonstrating your ability to improvise within the piece, if this will enhance your audition.
One piece must demonstrate finger picking. 
4. Sight-reading

Violinists, violists, cellists:

1. A 3-octave major scale and related melodic minor scale with accompanying major and minor arpeggios of the applicant's choice
2. Two compositions or two contrasting movements from two different compositions. Selections must be of contrasting tempi or different time periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary).
3. One movement of an unaccompanied suite or partita by J.S. Bach
4. One etude or technical study

Double bassists:

1. A 2- to 3-octave major scale and related melodic minor scale with accompanying major and minor arpeggios of the applicant's choice
2. Two compositions or two contrasting movements from two different compositions. Selections must be of contrasting tempi or different time periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary).
3. One etude or technical study

Harpists:

1. A 3-octave major scale and related melodic minor scale with accompanying major and minor arpeggios of the applicant's choice
2. Two compositions or two contrasting movements from two different compositions. Selections must be of contrasting tempi or different time periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary).
3. One etude or technical study

1. A short solo on each of the following instruments: snare drum, marimba, and timpani. As a general guide, NYSMMA level V and VI solos are preferred, with level IV acceptable in an area of less experience.
• Students auditioning for Music Therapy may prepare a short solo on snare drum, mallet percussion, and drum set or timpani. For drum set, prepare a written etude or play a song with a play-along track. Sight-reading, scales and arpeggios, timpani tuning, drum set styles and rudiments may be requested on the instruments being played for the audition. Contact the Percussion Coordinator for more information and/or solo suggestions. 
2. Rudiments, scales and arpeggios, and timpani tuning
3. Sight-reading
4. Optional: In addition to auditioning on snare drum, timpani, and marimba, you may choose to perform on drum set.

Sample literature includes:

• Rudimental Swing Solos by Wilcoxen
• Portraits in Rhythm by Cirone
• Three Dances for Snare Drum by Warren Benson
• Violin Sonata in A Minor, movement I or III by Bach
• Suite for Xylophone and Orchestra by David Carey
• selections from Raggedy Ragtime Rags by Randy Eyles
• Juniper by Kristen Shiner McGuire
• Suite for Timpani by Dave Mancini
• selections from The Solo Timpanist by Vic Firth
• Seven Solo Dances for the Advanced Timpanist by George Frock
• Sonata for Timpani by John Beck

All music/business applicants interview with music/business faculty as part of your audition and you will take placement examinations in theory, aural skills, and piano.

You may choose a regular music-major audition format OR if you have experience and interest in contemporary styles such as jazz, pop, rock, or musical theatre, you may elect to present an audition with the following repertoire:

Voice

1. Sing two songs of contrasting nature:
• One must be an art song (for example, one of the 24 Italian songs) or a traditional aria (for example, one of the arias from the Messiah).
• The second selection could be a jazz, pop, rock, or musical theatre selection, or a piece that you have composed.
2. Sight-reading

Guitar

1. Perform two pieces of a contrasting nature:
• One must be on an acoustic guitar in a classical style (demonstrating your ability to “finger pick” in a traditional classical guitar style).
• The second piece may be in a jazz, pop or rock style and can be something you've composed. The piece may be performed on an electric guitar. You have the option of demonstrating your ability to improvise if this will enhance your audition.
2. Sight-reading

Electric Guitar

1. Play two contrasting pieces (style/feel, tempo, etc.).
• One piece should display technical proficiencies, and the other highlight your musicality
• The second piece can be another cover tune or an original composition.
2. The entire audition should be performed on an electric guitar.
3. At least one of the pieces should be a cover tune.
4. You will be asked to do some finger picking and improvisation.
5. You will be asked to play a scale. You get to decide what scale to play.
6. You will be asked about chord knowledge ("Can you play an Ab chord?  Ab minor? Ab minor7?") We will ask for either a # or b chord because that shows a higher level of awareness and knowledge.
7. Sight-reading

Bass

1. Perform two pieces of a contrasting nature.
• One must be performed on a double bass in a classical style. This piece should demonstrate your ability to work effectively with a bow.
• The other piece may be in a jazz, pop or rock style. You have the option of performing the second piece on an electric bass guitar. The selection can be something you've composed.
2. Sight-reading

Electric Bass

1. You will prepare two pieces of music from separate styles on the electric bass. One jazz or contemporary piece and one classical etude will be performed.
2. You will demonstrate melody, accompaniment, and improvisation as well as technique and time-feel. Accompaniment must be appropriate to the style i.e. jazz walking bass, rock bass line. 
3. You must play 2 octave major scales and arpeggios in 12 keys.
4. Sight-reading

Percussion

Perform either jazz/rock/popular or classical:

1. Jazz/Rock/Popular - drum set or vibraphone
• Drum Set
• Prepare a tune played with a CD (Music Minus One, Aebersold, Hal Leonard). Include comping with the chart and some fills and kicks.
• Be able to demonstrate the following styles in a 4 plus 4 format (4 measures time, 4 measures fill) - slow, medium, and fast swing; bossa nova, samba; Afro-Cuban, jazz waltz, brush ballad.
• Sight-reading
• Vibraphone
• Prepare a tune played with a CD. Perform melody and improvise over the changes.
• Prepare major scales and arpeggios, ascending and descending, for 2 octaves.
• Sight-read a 2-mallet example.
• Sight-reading
2. Classical/Traditional - snare drum, mallet percussion, or timpani
• Prepare a solo on either snare drum, timpani, or mallet percussion. Should be NYSSMA level V-VI.
• Sight-reading, scales and arpeggios, timpani tuning, and rudiments may be requested.

Keyboard (piano)

1. On an acoustic piano, perform two pieces of a contrasting nature.
• One selection should be classical in nature, and if possible, performed from memory.
• The second selection could be a jazz solo or a piece in a rock or popular music style; it may be something you composed.
2. Scales/arpeggios (two octaves hands together) may be requested.
3. Sight-reading

Other Traditional Band and/or Orchestral Instruments

For all other instruments (e.g., violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, sax, etc.), you will follow the same audition procedures as for other Bachelor of Music degrees (see "Prepare for Music-Major Audition" on this page), with one exception: For the second selection, you have the option of performing a piece in a jazz, pop or rock genre. The piece may be an original composition.

Your audition on a performance instrument listed above will be followed by a composition interview. If available, please bring scores and/or recordings of your best work. Online links to recordings and videos are acceptable.

Music therapy majors auditioning on piano, voice, guitar, or percussion have the option to include different audition content, as noted in the relevant instructions above.

All music therapy major auditions will include a brief singing/aural skills assessment with music therapy faculty. This will occur “in the moment”, so there is nothing that you need to prepare.

Instrumentalists

• Prepare 2 minutes of a movement or piece that is slow
• Prepare 2 minutes of a movement or piece that is at a fast tempo

Vocalists

Prepare two pieces from the classical repertoire.